Isaiah 1:24

24 Therefore saith [a] the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, [b] the Mighty One of Israel: Ah! I will ease me [c] of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies.

Isaiah 1:24 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 1:24

Therefore, saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the mighty
One of Israel
All these names and titles, which are expressive of the majesty, power, and authority of God, are used to give the greater solemnity and weight to what follows; and to show that he is able to accomplish what he determines and threatens to do. Ah!
which is a particle, either expressive of grief at their wretched and miserable condition, or of indignation at their provoking sins and transgressions: I will ease me of mine adversaries;
or, "I will take comfort F14 of" them, by destroying them; expressing the pleasure and satisfaction he should take in avenging his justice on them: they had been a trouble to him, and had wearied him with their sins, and now he will ease himself of them by removing them. The Targum is,

``I will comfort the city of Jerusalem;''
not taking the sense of the words: and avenge me of mine enemies;
the Jews, who were enemies to Christ and his Gospel, and would not have him to reign over them, and which was the cause of the destruction of their city, temple, and nation; see ( Luke 19:14 Luke 19:27 Luke 19:42-44 ) .
FOOTNOTES:

F14 (Mxna) "consolationem capiam", Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. "Consolabor me", Cocceius.

Isaiah 1:24 In-Context

22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine is mixed with water:
23 thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth presents, and hunteth after rewards; they judge not the fatherless, and the cause of the widow cometh not unto them.
24 Therefore saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: Ah! I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies.
25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and will thoroughly purge away thy dross, and take away all thine alloy;
26 and I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning. Afterwards thou shalt be called, Town of righteousness, Faithful city.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. A word introducing an oracular discourse, as Gen. 22.16. It is frequent in the Prophets.
  • [b]. See Jas. 5.4.
  • [c]. As 'comforts himself,' Gen. 27.42.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.